What is the difference between dentures and dental implants? Which material is the most durable? Doctor: Failure to replace missing teeth may become a "big problem"
How to treat missing teeth? Will the location of missing teeth affect the material of dentures?
Modern people’s love for beauty is nothing new. Having a straight and white set of teeth is even more important. Once missing teeth not only affect appearance and social interaction, they may also cause subsequent gum recession and malocclusion. Dr. Li Shiwei, deputy director of Guoan Dental Clinic, pointed out that there are various treatment methods for missing teeth, such as dental bridges, removable dentures, dental implants, etc. You should first conduct a risk assessment such as physical condition and then choose the most suitable method for treatment.
Dr. Li Shiwei said that when missing teeth occur in different locations, the recommended denture materials will also be different. For example, the teeth in the back row require biting force. When making dentures, zirconium dioxide, all-metal and other materials will be used for repairs. If the front row of teeth is missing, taking “aesthetics” and “naturalness” as the main considerations, all-ceramic crowns and zirconium dioxide fired ceramics may be used as braces materials.
Which treatment method is best, dental implants or dentures? Preserving natural teeth is the first priority
Dr. Li Shiwei emphasized that the harder the denture material is, the more expensive it is. On the contrary, the more “natural” the material is, the more expensive it is. In terms of metal materials, there are various types of braces ranging from base metals to precious metals. Base metals are cheaper, but they may release metal ions when eating, causing gums to become red, swollen, black, or even shrink.
Dr. Li Shiwei explained that the material with the highest compatibility with the human body and the highest durability is gold, followed by ceramics. However, the price of gold is relatively high. Under normal circumstances, in order to take into account both price and durability, when choosing denture materials, all-ceramic crowns and teeth with ceramic as the base are the main ones.
Dr. Li Shiwei pointed out that “dental bridges” and “dental implants” are both fixed dentures and are the most commonly recommended treatments for single missing teeth. Both methods can reconstruct the tooth structure, depending on the patient’s treatment needs. However, consideration will be given to retaining the original teeth as much as possible, because no matter how sophisticated the dental implant technology is, it is still not a natural human tooth, and it is easier for food to remain in the gaps between the implanted teeth during daily eating. residue.
Dr. Li Shiwei said that for the common “three-tooth bridge”, the front and rear teeth need to be ground to an appropriate size so that the middle denture can be filled in the teeth. The dental filling treatment will focus on preserving and not harming the natural teeth. If only one tooth is missing, dental implants may also be recommended to reduce wear and damage to the natural teeth. Doctors emphasize that the treatment of missing teeth must meet the needs of the patient, and good oral hygiene habits should still be developed after treatment.
Is long-term tooth loss likely to lead to malocclusion and periodontal disease? Even the joints and face shape have changed?
Dr. Li Shiwei reminds that missing teeth for a long time without filling them will cause the surrounding teeth to overgrow or shift, which will affect the periodontal alignment in the long run, leading to malocclusion, uneven bite force, and loss of vertical bite height. In addition, too many missing teeth without filling them may cause joint displacement and make one side of the bite muscles overdeveloped, which may cause the face to appear uncoordinated.
Dr. Li Shiwei said that missing teeth without filling them will not only change the appearance of the face, but may also lead to oral pathological changes, such as gingivitis, periodontal disease and other health problems. Therefore, it is necessary to restore the number of teeth and occlusal function to achieve occlusal balance. Do not delay medical treatment because you want to save medical expenses or are afraid of dental treatment. Early treatment can avoid more serious conditions in the future.
